Top Gunner (2020) - full transcript

Recent graduates of a secluded U.S. Air Force base must protect a gene-editing bio-weapon from the Russian military - who are desperate to seize the deadly viral agent at any cost.

Take your shot
when you're ready.

No!

Status!

I'm good.
Package is secure.

I have to make my way
back to you as soon

as I get a visual on the enemy.

Pile Driver, this is Storm.
We have a man down.

We have the package.
I repeat, we have the package.

We need a dust off immediately.

Copy.
Confirmation understood.

Dust off should be there
any second.



Hang in there, Storm.

Get your ass back here, Oliver.

We have 24 hours to get
that package in containment.

Make it quick, soldier.

I've got movement over here.

Hold them off while
we scan for ID.

Sir, they're comin' in hot
and fast.

Pile Driver, we need to get this
package to containment now!

Landing now!
16 degrees southwest.

Valkyrie's landed,
let's move out.

It's no secret the Air Force
is short on pilots these days.

However, candidates must
still meet strict physical,

medical, vision and
academic requirements.

After that, applicants
must score well on the AFOQT



and pass a selection board.

Becoming a pilot is
a service to one's country.

It is a privilege and a way of
life that is not for everyone.

But occasionally,
and I stress occasionally,

the Air Force finds itself
with candidates that surpass

those measures, candidates
that by God's grace,

or whatever you believe in,
are made to be Air Force pilots.

Those born with exceptional
skills and talents.

However, sometimes those
rare few fall pray

to the Icarus paradox
if left unchecked.

While one must be prepared
to take it to the edge,

one must remain always
in control of their actions.

Those actions can be a matter
of not only life or death,

but of all those engaged
in the battle with them.

Only the very best rise
to Top Gunner.

Blue 42!

Blue 42!

Blue 42! Set! Hut!

1-1000! 2-1000, 3-1000
here I come.

Oh, shit!
She hits hard!

How about that!

All right, cadets!
Clean up!

We got air drills
in 30 minutes.

Woo hoo hoo!

- Not a fan of "princess".
- Whatever.

Marcus, Brown, Spieling,
you three cadets are training

to become pilots in
the U.S. Air Force.

This is a training base.
No messin' around up here.

We need you ready for combat,
no stunts this time.

I'll be watching
your every move.

The choices you make today
will determine the course

of your trajectory
in the Air Force.

Lookin' mighty sexy, Sparrow.

Focus, Cowboy.

I can see those
baby blues from here.

Hey, where's my kiss?

Okay, Cowboy, eyes on the road.
You make Spielman jealous.

You guys good?

All right, let's take
it to 'em.

Ho-ho, wow!

Woo hoo hoo!

Cowboy, what are you doing?

You're gonna get us
all in trouble!

You'd have to catch me first.

Woo!

I can't help myself, Sparrow.

You totally have me
turned...

- No, no, no, no...
- ...upside down!

Aw, damn it!
Knock that off!

Ah...

Hope you're happy, Cowboy.

Herring's gonna ground us
for three weeks!

Oh, man, grounded with
this beautiful lady?

Sounds like my perfect date.

In your dreams, showoff.

Guys...
Guys, I'm stalling out.

I'm trying to get her back up.
I've got nothing!

Oh, he's dropping.

You got this, Spielman.

Nice catch, man. Nice!

All right, let's wrap this up
so we get some chow.

No arguments here.

Amateurs.

Oh, man, I thought
he was in a brief.

Look, he's obviously
excited to see us.

Nice knowin' you.

I mean, I saw
enemy fighters up there.

I saw 'em.

Yeah, I did too.
Those enemies were all over you.

If it wasn't for
my maneuvering skills...

Oh, in your dreams.

In somebody's dreams.

- Hey, hey.
- You guys looked hot up there.

Yeah, you like that?

Yeah, get some pointers from me,
maybe you'll be a pilot one day.

Naturally.

What she said, you either got
it or you don't, you know.

I don't know.
I can't describe it.

I'll get back to you on that.

- Really?
- Probably not.

I wouldn't trust anything
this guy has to say.

He's still in his
proverbial diapers.

Probably doesn't have
anything to teach you.

Sounds about right.

Hey, look on the bright side.

Maybe Spielman can take some
time out of his busy day

to teach you how to stall out.

Great.

Oh, you know what?

It looks like you guys have shit
to deal with on your own.

I'm out.

Sir.

- Sir.
- Sir.

The Air Force has invested
a lot in you three

and I'm gonna see to it we get
a return on that investment.

The property you treat like
toddler toys are not yours!

They are the property of
the United States military!

They are not to be treated
like the BMWs and Mercedes

your daddies bought
you when you were 16.

They belong to the Air Force.

Do you understand?

Do you understand!

Sir.

My father left when I was 12.

My mother worked tirelessly
three jobs

just to make sure
I could be here.

Kind of a rags
to riches story... sort of.

Spielman, I don't like you.

I don't think you're funny
and I'm not impressed.

Okay. The three of you will be
spending a long holiday weekend

with myself and
Master Sergeant Kelley.

Also, starting now, you're
assigned as of 2200 to 20200,

Duty Office Squadron Base Ops
and Security

each and every night
for the next six days!

Yes, sir.

One more time!

Yes, sir!

You still have
PT training at 0900.

Now get outta my sight.

Get outta my sight!

From what I hear
Colonel Herring and I

won't be alone
this holiday week.

It was so nice of you to give up
your leave to stay here with us.

I wanna make sure to have
extra turkey and cranberry sauce

flown in from stateside
just for you.

All right. Let's start this
week off with a little 5k jog.

Attention!
Right face!

Lieutenant Brown,
will you kindly lead us?

Yes, Master Sergeant.

Forward march!

♪ I don't know what
I been told ♪

♪ I don't know
but I been told ♪

♪ Air Force wings
are silver and gold ♪

♪ Air Force wings are
silver and gold ♪

♪ To take a jet
up in the stream ♪

♪ To take a jet up in
the stream ♪

♪ Is every pilot's
wettest dream ♪

♪ Is every
pilot's wettest dream ♪

Left, left,
left, right, left.

Why are we descending?

Captain. Captain Cushing?

Ah!

What are you doing?

You were completely out!

I got it!

Why didn't you tell me
you were hurt?

Don't worry about it.

Looks like you took a bullet
through the floorboard.

Bullet went straight
through the floor,

hit my leg and
nicked my shoulder.

I'll be fine.

It looks like it might have
blown through our fuel pump.

We're not makin' it.

Oh!

Ah!

Where can we set her down?
Off the grid.

There's a new air base, Asan.

It's not on
everyone's radar yet.

Osan?
That's not new.

No.

Asan.
It's in Baja, California.

There's a base set up there
temporarily for SERE training

and initial phase
basic flight school.

But they have a runway.
I'll set us down there.

We'll call for another EXFIL.

Okay. Do it.

You sure you can still
fly this thing?

Yeah, I'll get us there.

But the hydraulics for a
vertical set-down are shot.

We'll take us in
the old-fashioned way.

Asan TAC!

This is Yankee, Charlie,
Echo, One, Niner.

We're on a classified mission.

We need to set down
on your base.

Do you copy?

This is Asan TAC.

Yankee, Charlie,
Echo One Niner,

you are transmitting over
a restricted channel.

Authorized clearance
is required,

or you will be subject
to intercept.

Brace yourselves.

Zero, Gulf, Echo,

Niner, Niner,

X-ray, Niner, Lima, Oscar...

Confirm.

Aircraft's damaged.
Got two critical.

I need to take us down.

All right, here we go.
Here we go.

Brace for impact!

Ten, nine, eight...

That's a Valkyrie ATC.

...five, four, three,

two, one!

Everybody okay?

- Yeah.
- Copy that, sir. Yes, sir.

How's the CRISPR?

Package intact, sir.

I've never seen one of those.

Whoa!
You guys don't need to be here!

It's off the books.
Understood?

- Yeah.
- Yes, Master Sergeant.

- Yes, sir.
- You'll be briefed shortly.

Head on back to the barracks
until we call for you.

Colonel Herring?

Yes, I am.

We've got one critical
and one deceased.

I need a medical team dispatched
to the tarmac immediately!

Can they keep their mouths shut?

Yeah.

Unmarked para-military
gear, state of the art.

My bet's on CIA
or private sector.

What do you think is
in that metal case?

Whatever it is,
it's important enough

for Herring to pay his respects.

Let's get outta here.

I don't see any windows
on that thing.

Think it's a drone?

How do they navigate
in close proximity?

Must be some extremely
accurate GPS.

I understand
it's all classified,

and don't give me the
"need to know" foolishness!

You're on my base, Mr. Lassen.

I have lives
I'm responsible for.

And I need to know if
that thing

is gonna jeopardize
our situation.

Have you heard of CRISPR?

Yeah. Gene Editing Compound,
alters and disrupts DNA.

Correct.

However, this particular CRISPR
was used by

the Russian government
to engineer a deadly

airborne pathogen.

They have plans to distribute it
to terrorist organizations

and place it into countries

that were struggling
to obtain democracy.

The Russians will come in, offer
to quell any terrorist factions.

Now the past few months
this has been around,

we weren't able
to get our hands on it.

We finally did that.

Okay, explain
to me exactly how it works.

A terrorist cell will place
this in a public place,

probably a trash can
or a bus stop.

Once the pathogen is unstable,

it will cause rapid and
immediate thrombocytopenia

in any organism
it comes into contact with.

Okay, now what is
this thrombocytopenia...

how'd you say it?

It's a condition where the body
destroys its platelets.

Massive internal
hemorrhaging occurs.

Anyone exposed will
need to be treated in less

than an hour before death.

And you brought that here?
What is wrong with you?

We didn't have much
of a choice, sir.

We've already called another
EXFIL to come pick us up,

get this to Kirkland
and get a vaccine.

We have less than 13 hours
to do so.

I don't know.

These guys just showed up here
with a Valkyrie on the base.

The whole place is on lockdown.

I don't know... I don't know
what I'm going to be able to do.

Who're you talking to?

My sister.

Letting them know I'm not
gonna be home for the holidays.

Hey, look, I have to call
you guys back.

Tell Mom I love her.

You, too.

You know,

I think this is gonna
my mom's last Thanksgiving.

You know what they're
saying, right?

Yes, I do, but that's not what
that phone call was about.

We were just buzzed
by one Russian bogey.

Cease all further
radio transmission.

I repeat, cease all radio
transmission at once.

By 4:00.
I'll be there.

You don't believe in knocking?

You said your cadets
weren't gonna be a problem.

And?

Now my dust off is compromised

and we're losing time to
get the CRISPR to safety.

I'm aware of that,
and I apologize.

Apparently, one of 'em,
Lt. Barret,

he called his sister stateside
that he has

an emergency situation
and he wouldn't be home

for the holiday.

His mother's not
in good health...

That was enough to send out
Russian scouts who have probably

already figured out our
flight plan to this location.

There's gonna
be more surveillance

and possibly an
assault attack sent out.

You need to get us
to the states now!

The only aircraft we have
at this base are AT-38s

and they don't have the
fuel to get you back.

Mid-air refuel.

All our seasoned pilots are
on leave for the holiday.

This is a training base.

None of my cadets know
how to do mid-air refuel.

Get 'em all in here now.

Now?

Hold on.

I need to see
the Sergeant right now.

One, two!
One, two!

One, two, one...

Kelley.

Yes, sir. Understood.

On your feet!

Mr. Barret, do you understand
the meaning of "off the books"?

- Sir, yes, sir!
- Apparently not!

Because a short while ago,
you placed a cellphone call

to your sister stateside
declaring we had

an emergency situation
here in Asan!

Sir, that is all I said, sir!

Let's move! We have a briefing
in the C.O.'s office.

Mr. Lassen.

We have a package that
needs to be delivered

to Kirkland Air Base
in the United States

within the next 12 hours.

It's absolutely essential
there be no further

personal communication
outside of the desert.

There's a better than
average chance

we'll be subjected to
further reconnaissance.

Sir?

Second Lieutenant Alex Marcus.

I'd like to volunteer our
squad for air defense.

Kid, you have no idea
what's coming for us.

No, sir, I guess I don't.

Most likely, Russian military.

A trio of green,
untested Air Force cadets

lacking surface to air support

is hardly a match
for Russian U47s.

Yes, your only option is
to run this mission, sir.

You may get that chance,
Lieutenant.

Second Lieutenant Spielman, sir.

Second Lieutenant Brown, sir.

If the Russian military
attacks this base,

is that not considered
an act of war?

Unfortunately, in the court
of international law,

our actions to date would be
considered terrorism.

- Great.
- Joy.

And Colonel Herring could be
regarded as harboring fugitives.

Here's how I would
like to proceed

with your permission, sir.

Let's hear it.

I don't mind the idea
of having three pilots

available for the FA-18 Hornets.

If you have anybody
available to repair

our aircraft, I would
appreciate that.

Master Sergeant Kelley,
Mr. Oliver, Mr. Rapp and myself

will give a refresher
on basic infantry skills.

Master Sergeant, can we
get some weapons, please?

We can, sir.

Need I remind you, Mr. Lassen,

these kids are fresh
out of Air Force Academy.

They've never put
a bullet in anyone.

Everybody's gotta
start somewhere.

Good stance, Lieutenant.

Thank you, sir.

Elbows tucked in and down!

Hold that rifle
like you mean it!

Got it.
Thank you, ma'am.

Keep it up, keep it up.
Right there. Right there.

Pull it tight.

Elbows tucked in and down.

Hold that rifle
like you mean it!

Widen your stance.

Your feet should be
under your shoulders.

Yes, sir!

Ah!

How does it feel to have
a loaded rifle

in your face even
though it is jammed?

- Sorry.
- You made your point.

If you all can't think
clearly right now

when you're not being shot at,

how are you gonna perform
when you are being shot at?

I understand you're pilots.

The saying that goes for up
here goes for down here.

Keep your head
in the game at all times.

Still got a little time left.

Mr. Oliver, assist
them for another 30.

I'm gonna get a SITREP and
find out where our EXFIL is.

All right,
let's keep going, guys.

Who's the best pilot
out of that group?

Marcus.

He's cocky, but talented.

I'm not opposed to Marcus's
idea of providing

some sort of diversion as an
attack using the FA-18 Hornets.

Well, Lieutenant Barret,

who I know isn't on the top
of your list presently,

is a fine mechanic as well.

Okay, put Barret
on our aircraft.

Hey, earlier in that briefing,

you said there was a chance
of an assault on our base.

Yes?

How likely is that?

Jamie, you all right?

There's something
I need to tell you.

I put in for reassignment.

Reassignment?

To who, where?

Just here, but just as support.

I'm not cut out to fly.

What makes you say that?

You.

Alex, Kathryn.

You know, in handling
that gun today

it just made me realize that,
if it came to it,

I couldn't shoot
an enemy plane down.

Well, at least you don't have
to shoot your enemy in the face.

That's supposed
to make me feel better?

I didn't mean it like that.

I'm just...
I'm trying to help.

Yeah, I know.

God, that was such a stupid
thing to say.

It's fine.
It's fine.

I'm sorry.

It's fine.

Colonel Herring and Lassen want
me to try and fix that Valkyrie.

So I'm gonna give that
a try, at least.

Good.

Good, I'm glad.

Fix that futuristic
jet of theirs

and get 'em to hell
outta here, right?

I don't like these guys.

Everything we've heard about
Black Ops, they reek of it.

You saw how that one put
his gun in Barret's face?

Who do these people
think they are?

Who knows what
they are or were.

They all have that look.

We don't know what they've seen.

You see the good
in everyone, huh?

It's just not our place.

When my brother first got back
from Afghanistan, he...

I know.

Hey, but we're not them, right?

Lights out in 10!

Get some rest.

Master Kelly forget our P.T.?

Get up now!

We just had
hostiles doing a flyover!

I want you, Brown, and Spielman
ready for flight

before they come back!

Looks like you got your wish.

Barret, with me. Move!

Oliver. I want you
to rig an M152 RAMS

to that building structure.

Yes, sir.

Worse cast scenario,

Russians blindside us
and take over the base.

Explosives will be rigged
to any structures

containing classified intel.

Oliver will carry
a remote detonator.

We lose control of the base,
hit the detonator.

Why we rigging the tents?

If this package falls
in the wrong hands again,

we're all expendable.

Can't argue with that point.

I'd liked to have been briefed
on the topic a little earlier.

Well, I'm to blame
for that Master Sergeant.

I failed to inform you
of that detail.

Understood, sir.
My apologies.

Rapp, I want you to find the
best vantage points possible.

Copy that.

- Where do you want me, sir?
- With me.

Colonel Herring, do you have
a safe bunker to go to?

I'm stayin' with you.

We have confirmed visual.

Four Russian MI-20 attack
helicopters headin' this way.

They're flying below 4,000 feet.

That's why they aren't
registering on radar.

This is a full recon, okay?

Ground forces
are not far behind.

They're gonna try
to take out our defenses

and our communication.

Roger that.
We're ready, sir.

Everybody, take your positions.

Eyes to the skies!

Dutch? Sparrow?
Radio check!

Sparrow. Copy.

Dutch here.

All right.
Let's get ready to go.

Here goes nothing.

Come on! That's not the fightin'
spirit, Sparrow.

- I'm good.
- That's more like it.

Yeah, that's what I thought.

All right, all systems are go.

All right, guys,
this one's for real.

Okay, folks, now that we're
at our cruising altitude

of 10,000 feet,
let's drop it down to 5,000,

see if we can get eyes on.

Copy that.
Descending to Eagles 5.

Copy.

Bogeys at 3:00 low, 2,000 feet,
heading east at 260 knots!

No joy, Sparrow, no joy.

Got a visual on four bogeys.

Dutch, Sparrow, drop to 3,500.

I'm gonna take to 3,000 and see
if I an shake 'em up a bit.

Whoa! Wait!
Are you trying to draw fire?

They fire at us,
we fire at them.

We can already shoot.
This is international air space.

Okay, everyone.
Adjust your altitude now.

Cowboy?

And here we go.

Woo!
Got their attention now, baby!

Nice, Cowboy!

All right, let's see
if our new friends bite.

Reducing speed to 300 knots.

Let's give those Archers
a chance to heat up.

Copy.

They're on my ass, guys!
Please buzz them now!

On it.

Hey, guys, they're on my ass!

Guys, I'm flying blind here!
Where are you?

Hard left... now!

Got a hit!
Two bogeys down!

There's a lock on me!

Dutch, break left, and flares!

Oh, damn it!

Guys, I'm out.

Heading back to the barn.

Copy that, Dutch!
Get outta here!

Coming around on their six
for another pass.

All right.
I got a lock.

Firing now.

Sparrow, what are you doing?

Sparrow, do you copy?
What are you doing?

Sparrow, slow down!
You're goin' too fast!

Sparrow, you need to roll now!

Nice shot, Sparrow, nice shot!

We did it!

We did...

but please don't give me
a heart attack like that again.

Spielman.

Brown.

Marcus.

Impressive work up there,
Lieutenants.

Thank you, sir.
We learned from the best.

Colonel Herring, sir!

FA-18s one and two
are both grounded

with structural damage, sir.

Lieutenant Barret, let's get
you on Mr. Lassen's jet.

See if those repairs are
within our capabilities.

All right.
I can do that, sir.

Already visual confirmation of
another enemy aircraft...

- No.
- An SU-57.

Colonel, with all due respect,

if we don't go and bring
it to them right now,

they're gonna bring it to us.

Then let's move.

Looks like we're gonna
have to rely on visuals.

That SU-57's equipment is state
of the art stealth technology,

radar absorbent materials,
serrated edge panels, the works.

I heard they actually have
beyond visual range missiles.

Well, you heard correct,
my friend.

All right, boys, knock it off.

Copy that, Sparrow.

Guys, I have a lock on me!

No joy.

Dutch, I don't see him!

It's those BVRs, man.
I'm telling you!

Dutch, you need
to recalibrate.

Cross-check your
instrumentation!

Guys, they're still
locked on me!

Break right, Dutch.
Now! Break right!

The SU-57 is
still locked on me!

Shit! I'm hit!

Dutch, you need to eject!

I'm hit, I'm hit!

You need to eject!
Right now!

Eject, Dutch!

Okay, Sparrow, drop to 3,000.

We need to see if we can
ball up his grid.

I'm gonna stay up here at five,
to see if I can get a visual.

Come on.
Where is this guy?

There he is!

Sparrow, watch out!

Shit!
He's messing with us!

We can't outmaneuver this guy.

Cowboy, respond!

Gotcha.

Firing now!

Damn!

We need to abort,
Head back to the barn.

I don't care what international
laws that it violated.

We're not equipped
to deal with this.

We need real help.

No. I got an idea.

We're going to run a
continuous scissor pattern.

We're gonna force him
to lock onto one of us.

When he does, the other
one drops off and gets on six.

Copy, Cowboy.

All right.
Let's give it a shot.

He's locked on!

You need to keeping moving!

Pull up and break left!

I can't shake him!

When I give you the word,
I want you to go full vertical.

What?

Trust me, Sparrow.
We need to do this.

I'll stall out!

No, you need to do it, okay?
Just do it.

On my word.
Are you ready?

Yeah.

Now! Do it!
Pull up!

What happened?

Had to eject.

The plane?

We were no match for that SU-57.

I don't know what
we were thinking.

Marcus and Brown?

I don't know.

Shit.

What?

Oh, you gotta be kidding me.

So two planes are grounded
and three are complete losses.

We have one left,
without a weapons system.

- Sorry, sir.
- Don't be sorry.

If you hadn't stopped
that Su-57,

it would have surely
destroyed all our aircraft

and Mr. Lassen's jet.

We have to break radio silence
and put out a distress call.

- Can't do that.
- Why?

Right now, it's just a skirmish.

You send out your fleet,
they send out theirs.

Now we're at war,
one that no one's gonna win.

I don't understand.

A skirmish?
This is an act of war.

They're trying to attack us!

This desert?

Is it official U.S. territory
or is it on a trial run?

It's on loan.

I don't mean to
be disrespectful,

but this type of shit
happens all the time,

stuff that you guys will
never hear about.

This particular procedure,
it goes beyond the knowledge

of any national agency,
even the president.

Plausible deniability.

Yes, exactly.

It's just us.

So the faster you guys realize
that, the better off we'll be.

So what's the plan?

We're losing time.

They'll be back with bigger
and better weaponry.

Maybe take the CRISPR
in the woods

and wait for the EXFIL there.

Sir? I don't like it.

I don't like it either,

but sometimes we need
to just get going.

Why not just secure
the CRISPR here?

This package does
not leave my sight

unless you have
some type of vault.

No, sir.

You three were really
good with M-16s.

I'm gonna need your skills
rather than staying here.

Kelley, I want you
to accompany us.

We're gonna go into
the woods with the CRISPR

and wait for the EXFIL there.

We're gonna protect the CRISPR
at all costs, understand?

- Yes, sir.
- Yes, sir.

So pack whatever you can
for the next 12 hours.

Barret?

Yes, sir?

How work going with
Mr. Lassen's jet?

It's good.

I identified the problem
and I'm gonna fix it.

Excellent news.

You will continue to work
on Mr. Lassen's jet.

Should you need to
make radio contact...

Yes, sir?

Use your standard
encrypted call sign.

- Understood, sir.
- Good deal.

I need to go.

All right.

They're coming back.

And when they do, you need
to find a place to hold out.

I'm coming back for you, okay?

All right.

Hey...

Pardon me, sir.

With all due respect, Sir,

don't you think it's best
that you stay behind?

That's the plan, Mr. Lassen.

I'm gonna remain at the base
and oversee Barret's work.

But advise your men this
is high altitude desert.

You could be trudging
through several feet of snow

on your way to
a secure location.

Why not just stay
at the base

instead of freezing
our asses off?

Lower visibility out here.

At the base, anyone can spot us.

If the EXFIL's going to happen,
this is the best place to do it.

Just feels like the
increased exposure

is gonna make us
more vulnerable.

How do we know they're
not out here already?

We don't, but at least
we can buy Barret more time

to make the Valkyrie repairs.

It's our only option if
the EXFIL falls through.

Still don't like having
to freeze my ass off.

Take deep breaths, guys.

Breathe.

So do you guys know what this
thing is or let me guess?

You're not gonna tell is.

It's a lethal viral agent.

It's airborne.

That sounds serious.

It is, if we don't get
it back to the lab in time

for them to develop a vaccine.

Hey, whatever you need from us,
just let us know, okay?

Looks like a good spot up there.

The higher vantage will help us
see if we're being followed.

Okay, let's drop here.

This is the highest ground and
the best cover we're gonna find.

I hope you shoot
better than you fly.

Yeah, me too.

Brown, make sure to watch
his back, please.

No matter what happens, we watch
each other's backs, okay?

Okay.

Colonel Herring?

Lassen. Do you copy?

Loud and clear.
What's your SITREP?

We've established
a secure perimeter

and we're hunkered down.

But we can't hold
this position for long.

What's the situation
on your end?

How's the EXFIL looking?

I'm gonna need you to hold
on a little longer.

My men are working diligently
on your aircraft.

Hang in there.
We'll get you on your way.

We can't hold out here
much longer, Colonel.

We're burning valuable
time out here.

We need to get
the CRISPR off this island!

I understand that.

We're doing everything we can
on our end to make that happen.

Herring out.

Okay.

Looks like we're clear for now.

Master Sergeant, have you
started with the traps?

No, sir, I haven't.

This might be
a good time to do so.

Yes, sir.

Lieutenants!
You're with me!

We're gonna set up
a defensive perimeter

using good old Mother Nature.

Let's go.

That's right.

Time to go.

Just had two MI-28s fly by.

Sent Barret out to investigate.

He will report.

Copy. Standing by.

Hard to believe booby traps
are gonna make a dent

in a platoon of an
elite Russian infantry.

I think that's the point.
They won't be expecting it.

Thought I heard a helicopter
flying over to the east.

Wonder if they've sent
in reinforcements.

Hard to be blind like this,
hidden behind all this cover.

Not sure we'll be able
to handle more than 10,

especially with
our little stick traps.

They did this in
Vietnam, right, Sarge?

That's right.

My uncle stepped on
one of these in Da Nang,

almost died from infection.

They used to wipe shit
on the tips.

- Say what?
- We're not doing that, are we?

We're not savages,
Lieutenant Brown.

Is this deep enough, Sarge?

That's good.

Lieutenant Brown,
keep these two alive, please.

Yes, sir.

You okay?

Yeah.

I'm just worried
about Jamie, though.

I'm sure he's okay.

Our north flank is open.

We could use some
traps over there.

We looking good?

For now.

So what were you before
whatever you are now?

Force Recon.

Marines.

Whole team Devil Dogs?

No, only a chosen few.

My brother was in 5th Marines.

Oh, yeah?
Where's he at now?

He didn't come back
from Afghanistan.

Tough break, soldier.

It comes with the oath.

That it does, soldier.
That it does...

Echo, Bravo, Juliet One,
Authenticate.

Victor, Romeo, Two.
Authenticating.

Authentication confirmed.
What's your SITREP?

Home base is compromised.

I'm off base.

MI-28 returned and
Colonel Herring

asked me to investigate.

They dropped additional troops
and they're headed to base.

Unknown number.

They're armed.

I count at least
eight of them.

Copy that.

Sit tight and await
further instructions.

How many?

Eight lightly armed hostiles.

They ain't out here
looking for us, though.

Bring it.

How's that doin'?

Still here.

How much time we got?

Less than 10 hours.

CRISPR?

They haven't gotten it yet.

Pile Driver? Storm.

Go ahead, Storm.

What's the ETA on that EXFIL?

Waiting for confirmation
of gun support.

Your position
has been compromised.

But we're less than 10 hours
away from losing containment.

Copy that, Storm.
We're doing what we can.

Will update and advise.
Out.

We have an armed patrol
heading this way!

How many?

Couldn't tell.

All right. This is it.

Basic Infantry skills.

Keep your selector on "semi".

Conserve your ammo.

Nobody fires until they hit
the traps or I give the word.

- Yes, sir.
- Yes, sir.

Yes, sir.

Visual.

Five staggered
on the main trail.

Three meters apart...
close grouping.

All carrying AKs.

Okay, let the first one
hit the punji stakes.

Then take your shots.

Copy that.

Maintain a field of fire!

Reloading!

One, 3:00,

two, 1:00.

- I'll take 3:00.
- Copy that.

Go, go!

I got eyes on tripwire.

They're flanking us
on the right!

- Cover me!
- Covering!

Let's go, let's go.

We got 'em.

Oh my God.

It was either them or us.

We gotta go!

I'll come back.

Colonel Herring,
we've cleared the area

and are circling back
to the base.

Copy that.

I'll link up with you
and the team

when you reach the perimeter.

I've lost contact with Barret,
have you seen him?

Negative.

Any casualties?

Yes. One.

Rapp.

Jamie?

What's he doing?

Sergeant Barret!
I lost you!

What's wrong?

Where in the world did you go?

I'm so sorry.

Drop your weapons, gentlemen!

I have snipers in position.
Please, do as I have asked.

I will ask you again,
please lower your weapons.

I will ask you again.
Please lower your weapons.

Okay. Put 'em down.

Very good, very good.

Now if you will all
kindly come this way,

away from your weapons.

Yes.

Against wall.

Good.

You have something that is ours.

We would like it back.

On your knees!

Please remember my snipers.

Do not be a hero.

- Marcus...
- On your knees.

I sent five men.

They're dead.

You are... proficient.

Is this the correct word?

Thorough.

Thorough, thorough.

I... I am proficient.

No talking!

Do not move!

He's gone.

It's gonna be some time before
any jet could reach your area.

We do recommend that
if the Valkyrie

is in flying condition that
your pilot should take it

and see if they can
secure the package.

Again, take the Valkyrie
and secure the package.

Looks like visuals are
made by the screens

fed through some sort of
360 camera system.

She's all yours.

I... I don't know if
I can do this.

No time to debate.

I think these are
weapons stations.

Alex.

If anyone can do this,
it's you.

All right.

Well, it can't be that
difficult, right?

Uh, instrumentation's the same,

give or take a
few gadgets and...

We got it! Okay!

All right, right?

Okay.

G.A.T.
What do you think that is?

Gatling gun?

Oh, no, I just did something.

Yes! That's what it is!

- All right.
- That's awesome!

All right, guys.
Prepare for take off.

All right, here we go.

- Ready.
- Ready, Dutch?

- Oh my God.
- Here we go.

Let's do this.

Slow and steady.
Slow and steady.

Okay, all right.

Here we go, slowly, and
let's pull up now slowly...

And there we go!

Cadets, this is
Colonel Herring.

I've requested backup
from home.

They're a long way out,

so it's unlikely they
will reach you in time.

If you're able to take
possession of the CRISPR,

you are to proceed to
Kirkland Air Force Base.

Do you copy?

Copy that, sir.

We got it, okay.

Woo!

Amazing. We're up.

Enemy in sight, guys!

Incoming 200 knots.

Intercepting course
in about 20 miles.

There's a weapons panel here,
a missile panel.

We have air to air
missiles, guys!

Good, we got enemies in sight.

Here's the plan, guys.

We're gonna bank left,
cut across their bow.

All right, Spielman, I need
you on that Gatling gun.

We only have one chance at this.

If we destroy that chopper,
we lose the CRISPR. Copy?

- I understand.
- Okay

All right. Here we go.

Banking left now.

And take your shot!

This plane's got
great horizontal speed,

but the stick is like
moving through mud.

We got two S-80s incoming!

Hold on! Pulling up!

Pull up now! Let's go.

That's way closer
than I want it.

Damn it.
Shit.

Oh... Guys, any idea on
how we can cripple this guy

without destroying him?

Maybe I can lock on
to its rear rudder

with one of these
air to air missiles.

No, Dutch. You and I both
know we can't do that.

That's a serious crash right
there we're talking.

So what do we do?

We're coming up on a field!

We'll shoot out his rudder,
force him to land there!

Let me think.

Whatever we end up doing,
the timing has gotta be perfect.

It's risky.

All right, Dutch.
I need you on that gun.

We need to set
the chopper down, all right?

We only have one chance!

You ready?

Ready.

Coming around his six again...

and...

Banking left now!

Come on, come on!

- Got it! Woo!
- Good shot, Dutch!

Yeah!

Good shot, Dutch!
Good shot.

Wait, wait, wait.

No, no, no, no!

He's headed to the trees!
Come on, man.

No, no, no, no.

Pull up, man. Pull up!

Damn it, Spielman, we only
wanted to take his rudder out,

not make him crash!

No! I know!

Pull up!

Pull up! Pull up!

Damn it!

I'm sorry, Alex.

Wait, wait!

No, no, no, look!
He's running!

- There he is.
- How'd he survive that?

Alex, take her down.

I'm goin' after the CRISPR.

Are you sure about this?

Time to Cowboy up, right?

Copy that.

Let's get ready
to take her down.

Let's take her down.

Hold tight!

All right, guys.

It's gonna be a
bumpy one, okay?

- All right.
- Hang on!

Nice and slow, hold on.

Nice and slow.

All right.
It's gonna be a rough landing.

Touchdown in three, two, one.

We'll have the Valkyrie
ready to go.

Based on the way
he's moving on the monitor,

he looks pretty banged up.

This one's yours, Spielman.

But if you're not back in 10,
we're coming after you.

Oh! Oh!

Valkyrie ATC,
what is your status?

- Do you copy?
- We do copy.

We have the CRISPR, one injured.

Copy. We understand
you have the CRISPR.

Please proceed to
Kirkland Air Force Base.

Copy.
Kirkland Air Force Base.

Looks good.

Well done.

Everything looks intact.

Thanks, guys. We'll get you
briefed and back to Asan.

Who says I'm going back to Asan?

How are we gonna protect
America without you?

Could we we technically say
that we saved the whole world?

You've done your country
a great service.

Saved a lot of lives.

And lost a lot of them, too.

We have them to thank.

I've trained a lot
of pilots in my career,

some good, some real good.

And then a few that
are truly exceptional.

To be an exceptional pilot,
much like being

in Special Forces, sometimes you
need to think outside the box.

You need to be a rebel,
but not a mutineer.

Sometimes the answer lies
right in front of you.

Other times, you need
to search deep for it.

In combat, it is easy
to lose your cool.

But those who can keep
a cool head and stay calm

are the ones who've
proved to be leaders,

leaders that we so desperately
need in these desperate times,

those capable of
heroic acts of courage

not only to protect
one's country,

but be willing
to lay down their life

for that of their
fellow servicemen.

Most pilots like Marcus,
Brown and Spielman will never be

called upon and
do what those great pilots

have done: to actually
engage in ground warfare.

It's another thing
entirely to look your enemy

in the eye to see the
life drain from them.

That's one advantage
to being a pilot.

But even still,
the knowledge of your actions

can still lay heavy
on your conscience,

if you don't keep
the mission and the reason

at the forefront
of your thoughts.

Lieutenants Marcus, Brown
and Spielman will have long,

successful careers ahead of them
for as long as they wish.

It's a chance to forge
pilots like these

that drives me to continue on.

Their actions enabled Lassen
and his team

to get the CRISPR to where
it needed to go.

It's been reported that the
operation proved successful.

Even at my rank, you don't
always get the full story.

Sometimes you just get
"mission accomplished"

and that's all you can ask for.

I often wonder what
would have happened

had Lassen and his men landed
in another training base.

But, luckily,
they landed in mine.